The Best Areas of UK Law to Specialise in

There are many types of law in the UK and many types of lawyers. Both barristers and solicitors can specialise in a huge number of fields leading them to interact with people from all walks of life.

In the legal world, specialising is key to becoming a really high earner. So much of being a good lawyer is about having in-depth knowledge at your finger tips and that comes with experience.

So which area should you specialise in? What salaries do different types of lawyers earn? And are some areas more in demand than others?

Types of Law in the UK

Whether you’re planning a career in criminal law or employment law, you’ll want to put a lot of research in up front. The UK legal system offers a wide range of specialisations, each with its own challenges and rewards.

Criminal law, for example, focuses on offenses against the state or individuals. This can be anything from a minor crime to a serious offense. Family law, by contrast, deals with issues such as divorce, child custody, and domestic abuse cases. A career in family law often requires sensitivity and strong negotiation skills.

Another area you might get into is employment law, covering workplace issues like contracts, discrimination, and unfair dismissal. In fact, you can even sub-specialise within employment law, focusing on employers or employees.

Commercial and corporate law involves mergers and acquisitions. If you choose this path, you’ll likely end up working in city firms and these can be some of the highest earning roles.

Which Types of Lawyer Earn the Most?

So with all that said, let’s now take a closer look at the different types of lawyer and the salaries they earn.

At the top end you have barristers in commercial law and corporate law – especially those working in London. Solicitors in large city firms, especially areas such as corporate law, banking, or intellectual property, are also very high earners.

Criminal solicitors and barristers can be anywhere from £25,000 to £80,000 and this variance is almost all based on experience. That is to say criminal law can pay very well but you have to be willing to put the time in to building a career. By contrast, corporate and commercial lawyers start out around £40K and their earnings only increase from there with some earning as much as £150,000 per year.

All of the above is of course still regional and, as with all jobs, pay is higher in London.

Which Area is Right For You?

Money is important, but it really isn’t everything. Some people choose their specialisation based on money but a surprising number of barristers and solicitors fall into their specialisation based on interest and passion.

This is why, despite the financial incentive, not all lawyers go into corporate or commercial law. It’s really important to find your job fulfilling and many are drawn to the law in the first place because they want to make a difference.

It’s also important to consider your natural skills and the kind of environment you thrive in. We mentioned earlier that family law means being sensitive and good at negotiation. Other areas of law come with their own demands. Criminal law is both emotionally taxing and demanding on the hours but those who work in it often find it very rewarding, particularly those who have a passion for justice.

Lastly, it’s important to remember that while specialisation is important, you can change your career path if you need to. It’s not always easy and you might not end up earning as much as if you’d specialised all the way, but don’t let fear stop you from following the path that appeals most. Take the time, do as much research as you can, speak to people working in the field, and ask yourself honestly if this area of law is the best fit for you.